The Return of Ted Lilly … and Other Cubs Notes

Ted Lilly returned from the birth of his first child, Theodore Roosevelt Lilly IV, and threw to hitters on Thursday. Lilly threw two sets of 20 pitches. The Cubs will decide the next step for Lilly after they find out how he feels on Friday.

According to a report from ESPN Chicago, the plan for Ted Lilly is to “throw to hitters again in a few day” and “follow that with a simulated game.” If all goes as planned, Lilly is expected to make one Cactus League start before camp ends. After that, Lilly would make three minor league starts before rejoining the Cubs.

The Cubs and Dodgers set a single-game Cactus League attendance record on Thursday. 13,391 fans filed through the gates at Camelback Ranch … the record might fall on Friday when the Cubs face the Sox. The Cubs have been involved in nine of the ten largest crowds in Cactus League history.

According to a report from Cubs.com, Jeff Gray threw “three batting practice innings” on Thursday. The next step for Gray, who has been sidelined by a strained groin, is a simulated game. Gray will likely begin the year on the DL or in the minors. He is “running out of time to make the Cubs’ Opening Day roster” according to a report on Cubs.com. Gray has one minor league option left.

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